Fakir Alamgir turns to fine print

Popular singer Fakir Alamgir launched three books at this year's Ekushey book fair. Akash Prokashoni published the memoir “Amar Kotha”, Duronto Prokashoni published “Jara Achhen Hridoy Potey” and Genius Prokashoni published “Smriti Alaponey Muktijuddho”.
“Jara Achhen Hridoy Pote” is a unique book, Fakir Alamgir says, adding that it is about luminaries such as Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibar Rahman, Rabindranath Tagore and Kazi Nazrul Islam.
“Smriti Alapone Muktijuddho” is a collection of memories from the Liberation War days, and has already drawn public attention, Alamgir informs.
Alamgir adds that he feels a spiritual connection with the fair and the cultural programmes always draw him to the site. Although he cannot visit every day, he tries to go as often as possible, Alamgir says.
Emphasising the necessity of quality books, Alamgir observes that the expansion of space has been larger than incoming flow of books that meet a certain standard. He also called for a better atmosphere at the fair to pull in more crowds.
Alamgir published his first book “Chena Chin” in 1984, which was popular among the readers. His next publication was “Muktijuddher Smriti Bijoyer Gaan”, while the third, “Gono Sangeeter Otit O Bortoman”, turned out to be a great hit in both our country and in Kolkata (India). So far, Alamgir has nine book titles under his name.
The singer-author says he started writing while completing his Masters in Journalism from Dhaka University. However, serious writing came much later in the '90s as Alamgir wrote for the dailies Ajker Kagoj and Bhorer Kagoj. He still continues to write for several national dailies regularly.
Asked what makes a writer successful, Alamgir says that the ability to give book lovers more quality material to read is a great accomplishment for writers. “But when I write, first of all, I write for my own fulfilment, then I write for the readers,” Alamgir adds.